NEWS RELEASE

Date: January 4, 2008

                                                                            Contact: Derek Danziger

                 (619) 533-7103 or

Tiffany Metti

619-533-7136

               www.ccdc.com

HISTORIC BALBOA THEATRE REOPENING GALA FUNDRAISER - JANUARY 31

TICKETS NOW ON SALE  

Free Public Preview Performances Scheduled January 11, 12 and 13

SAN DIEGO, CA— A limited number of tickets are now on sale for a Roaring Twenties-themed historic Balboa Theatre Reopening Fundraiser Gala scheduled for the evening of January 31. The gala will be co-hosted by NBC San Diego's Kimberly King and will feature several other special guests and performances still to be announced.

            Westfield Horton Plaza has signed on as the event’s title sponsor. Additional sponsors include: The US GRANT/Sycuan, The Irvine Company, Bosa Development, Lankford and Associates, Kane Balmer Berkman, Sudburry Properties, Lounsberry Ferguson Altona and Peak, Project Design Consultants, CCDC Chair Fred Maas and CCDC Treasurer Kim John Kilkenny. 

            The event begins with a 1920s-themed block party taking place in front of the theatre along Fourth Avenue with entertainment and food stations featuring local Gaslamp restaurants. The on-street party will be followed by a live theater performance billed as a “Walk Through Time,” focusing on various eras of the Balboa Theatre’s unique history. From live vaudeville style performances, to music and dance, and several other surprises, the event will feature an original score by the renowned artistic director and conductor of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Jung-Ho Pak.

Gala ticket prices are set at: $150, $200 and $250 per person and can be purchased online at www.sdbalboa.org or at the Civic Theatre ticketing office at Third Avenue and B Street. Tickets include admission to the block-party celebration.

Event proceeds will fund an endowment, managed through the San Diego Foundation, to enable local non-profit performing arts groups to apply for grants to help underwrite their use of the theater for future events. The endowment fund will be managed by the chairs of the City of San Diego’s Arts and Culture Commission, San Diego Theatres, Inc. Board of Directors, and the Balboa Theatre Foundation. CCDC and a Balboa Theatre Task Force continue seeking corporate sponsors to underwrite the opening gala. Sponsorship information is available by calling 619-533-7148.

In addition to the January 31 gala activities, on January 11 (noon), 12 and 13 (noon and 3 p.m.), CCDC will host a series of five free Public Preview Showcases of the Balboa Theatre featuring performers from throughout the San Diego community. A schedule of performers and times can be viewed at www.sdbalboa.org. Free tickets are available for pickup at the CCDC Downtown Information Center at 225 Broadway on Horton Square, through the Civic Theatre ticketing office located at Third Avenue and B Street, or online at www.sdbalboa.org (a small service fee will apply for online ticket access). For more information call 619-235-2222.

BALBOA THEATRE HISTORY

After numerous unsuccessful efforts over the past 18 years to renovate and reopen the Balboa Theatre privately, CCDC is nearing completion of the $26.5 million restoration project to return the venue to its original glory. Completed in several phases, the project has been designed and orchestrated by national historic restoration and performing arts specialists Westlake Reed Leskosky of Phoenix, Arizona.

New state-of-the-art mechanical, electrical and performance systems comprising rigging, lighting and audiovisual technology have been installed, including full-variable acoustics.  The lobby, box office, loading area and public amenities have been improved and expanded.  The audience chamber and balcony have been revitalized with new seating and restored decorative ceiling and walls. Enhancements also include recreation of the blade sign and marquee, the addition of an orchestra pit lift and orchestra side shell panels. The structure is now reinforced for seismic stability.  

Upon opening, the Balboa Theatre will be managed by San Diego Theatres Inc., the nonprofit, public benefit corporation established to manage and operate publicly owned performing arts theaters. Under the terms of an operating agreement with the City of San Diego, they are also responsible for the management, marketing, operations and maintenance of the San Diego Civic Theatre. A lineup of shows at the Balboa Theatre has already been announced and is available at www.sdbalboa.org. The Balboa Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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CCDC is a public, nonprofit corporation created by the City of San Diego in 1975 to facilitate the redevelopment of downtown’s 1,500 acres.